Current Affairs Quiz - April 2022

Notes:
The Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC is set to be admitted as the seventh member of the East African Community (EAC).
In the Extraordinary Heads of State Summit, DR Congo will be formally received in a virtual session. The DRC will gain access to the two main ports in the region-Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, also gaining trade, political and security cooperation. Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are the other members.

Notes:
India and France recently commenced their 20th edition of the bilateral naval exercise named ‘Varuna’ in the Arabian Sea.
Naval ships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter aircraft and helicopters of the two navies are participating in the exercise. The bilateral naval exercises between the two Navies were initiated in the year 1993. The exercise was christened as ‘Varuna’ in 2001.

Notes:
India and Australia signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA). It seeks to provide -duty access to 96 per cent of India’s exports to Australia.
The exports include engineering goods, gems and jewellery, textiles, apparel and leather. The pact is expected to boost bilateral trade in goods and services to USD 45-50 billion over five years and generate over one million jobs in India.

Notes:
‘Sajibu Nongma Panba’ is a traditional festival for the followers of the Sanamahism religion in Manipur, as a Lunar New Year.
The day is mostly observed on the first day of the lunar month of Sajibu.  Also known as Meetei Cheiraoba or Sajibu Cheiraoba, the festival is celebrated by the Meitei people, one of the largest ethnic communities in Manipur.

Notes:
The ‘International Day for Mine Awareness’ is observed annually on April 4, across the world. The mine action community, headed by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) launches activities to create awareness on Mines.
This year, the theme of International Mine Awareness Day stands for “Safe Ground, Safe Steps, Safe Home”.

Notes:
HDFC Bank and HDFC Limited recently announced the merger of the two entities. HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector bank by assets, has a market cap of Rs 8.35 trillion.
HDFC Limited, India’s largest housing finance company with Assets Under Management (AUM) worth Rs 5.26 trillion and a market cap of Rs 4.44 trillion will merge with HDFC Bank. The subsidiary or associates of HDFC Limited will also be transferred to HDFC Bank, after regulatory approvals.

Notes:
The first day of the lunisolar calendar’s month of Chaitra is celebrated as Gudi Padwa. It is predominantly celebrated in the state of Maharashtra.
The same day is celebrated as Ugadi (Yugadi) in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. It is also celebrated as ‘Chaitra Navratri’ in some other parts of the country.

Notes:
The Police Department in Chittoor of Andhra Pradesh has set up ‘She Auto’ stands, the first of its kind in the state.
It aims to provide safe transportation to women and girl students. Tirupati is the first city in the state to set up special auto stands for women.

Notes:
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced that a plan is being developed to rehabilitate those people who migrated to neighbouring states during the Salwa Judum movement around 15 years ago.
Salwa Judum, an anti-Naxal operation powered by vigilante groups, was kicked off in 2005-06 in Bastar. It forced several tribals to flee and settle in neighbouring states.

Notes:
Capital markets regulator SEBI constituted a committee for reviewing and making recommendations for further strengthening of governance norms at stock exchanges and other market infrastructure institutions (MIIs).
The six-member committee will be chaired by G Mahalingam, former whole-time member of SEBI. The other members include MD and CEOs of stock exchanges NSE and BSE, and depositories — NSDL and CDSL among others.